Pages

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

What's It All About?

What’s Your Book About?

When
people ask me what my book is about, I often go blank. Not because I don’t remember, but because I
find it difficult to fully explain exactly what’s in it. It’s complicated. Yet, it’s so simple that I make it
complicated.

“What’s
your book about?”

“Um…
healing. It’s about my journey after
being healed of over forty years of depression, intimidation, and mental and
emotional abuse.”

They
usually back up, a look of ‘oh great, she’s a wacko’ on their face. Seriously, it is about the healing but it’s about so much more than that.

It’s About So Much More
Than Healing

Walking
Healed is about God wanting to work in the lives of His people. Yes, it’s an account of my journey. However, there’s not much about me in the
book. I try to convey different thoughts
throughout the book that connect to my healing but also give the reader an
insight into how God wants to do this in their lives.

This
book is written for those who are dealing with depression, intimidation, verbal
abuse, addictions, or whatever else they may be going through that prevents
them from living the abundant life that Jesus died so we can have. That’s what it’s about. It’s also for those who, in their minds think
they’re being helpful when in reality they’re causing more hurt than help.

I
was approached by a man not long after the launch of Walking Healed. He had been talking to my husband then looked
pointedly at me and said, “Actually, I really wanted to see you. I have something to say to you.”

At
this point, I wasn’t sure what he wanted to say to me, but after he finished
talking with my husband he turned to me, “I read your book.” His eyes became misty, but he continued
anyway. “I thought I was buying it for
someone else. Turns out, I was buying it
for me. Because of what you wrote, I was
able to salvage a relationship. So thank
you. And I’m going to give you a big
hug.”

It’s
moments like this that I realize God is doing a vast miracle in the lives of
those who read this book. It’s not about
me at all. It’s about what God did in
and through me and what He’s doing in those who are reading. Without Him, there would be no healing. There would be no book. There would be no one else’s life being
changed.

It’s A Journey

Walking
Healed is a journey. It’s my journey
after being healed. In the book I do
talk about different things I have gone through, that many other people may be
going through. I had to become very
transparent and talk about some things that were not pleasant for me. In no way did I degrade anyone, but I did
talk about the verbal abuse that I suffered from many family members, teachers,
peers, and others. It had to be
said. No names were mentioned so really
no one knows to whom I was referring.

Life
is real. Life is hard. We often go through things that cause us hurt
and distress. We suffer. It’s a given.
This world is not our home. It
may sound cliché but it’s the truth.
This is why I call this a journey.
If becoming transparent enough to share what I’ve been through and how
God helped me out of it helps someone else, then I’m glad I did it. And I would do it again, and again, and
again.

Keep Telling Your Story

There
are also people who don’t want to hear my story. That’s okay.
Some wish I would stop talking about it.
To that I can only say, keep wishing.
It’s not going to happen. A very
wise and Godly man once told me, “Don’t ever stop talking about your
healing. Your story needs to be heard
because it gives encouragement to others who need to hear what you went
through. So keep telling it.” I take his advice as much as I can.

People
are going to get mad because, “she’s talking about her healing again.” Yes I am! Because, not everyone has heard
it. If you happen to be standing close
enough to overhear me start telling it again and don’t want to hear it, just
walk away. The person I’m telling it to
may just need some encouragement, to hear how God wants to touch their
life.

Special Book Offer

If
you haven’t read Walking Healed and would like to, I’m offering an electronic
copy* of it to anyone who responds to this post.
I’m also offering a signed paperback copy to the first five people who
email me at shelley@shelleywilburn.org. The holidays are fast approaching. Walking Healed would make a great gift.

Wouldn’t you like to walk healed in the New Year, or
see someone you love walk healed? The
book doesn’t heal. But the God who
healed me so I could write the book does.

*If you choose an electronic version please indicate which format you prefer; Kindle, Nook, or PDF

About Me

Shelley Wilburn lives in Southern Illinois on a small piece of land she and her husband refer to as their Rinky Dink Farm. She is the author of the Walking Healed books, several articles, blog posts and book reviews. She has guest blogged for other blogs, co-authored devotionals, and spoken at various women’s gatherings.
Shelley has a unique healing testimony and finds great pleasure in helping to encourage, educate and inspire others to find hope, health and healing through her Walking Healed ministry.
Shelley is married to her high school sweetheart, D.A. They have three grown, married children, children-in-law, five grandsons and one granddaughter. They love raising chickens, having fun and taking impromptu trips to the mountains and secret getaways.
You can follow Shelley on her blog and social media pages; Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. You can also get firsthand updates on her books and new releases by signing up for her newsletter and following her on her Amazon Author page.